​OCSC is a community-based United States Swimming Club for boys and girls ages 4 and up. Our goal is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice and recreational swimmer to national competitor. OCSC provides age appropriate training geared toward challenging each individual and developing their skills to the best of their abilities. Before a young swimmer may join OCSC, they must complete Tigershark Swim Camp. This allows coaches to evaluate skills as they pertain to competitive swimming. Swimmers are then encouraged to either join swim club or enroll in additional swim lessons.

Tigershark Swim Camp: This camp is for those with or without swim team background, who are interested in joining OCSC. At the conclusion of Tigershark camp, if coaches agree the swimmer is ready to join, the swimmer is placed into the appropriate group for his or her development.

Pre-requisite for successfully completing Tigershark Camp: Knowledge of four main strokes, (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) including proper breathing technique and the ability to swim multiple lengths of the pool without stopping. Coaches will evaluate all swimmers and at the conclusion of camp, provide suggestions on OCSC group placement or the need for further lessons.

Required equipment and preparation for all OCSC swimmers:

Simply Swimming, a partner of OCSC swimming, is a full-service swim shop in Middleton. Susie and her staff of swim outfitters have most equipment your swimmer would need at competitive and affordable prices.

Below is a must-have list of swimming gear and equipment needed by all OCSC swimmers:

Fins: Some sizes are available for use at the pool, but the club will not be buying new pairs. If we get the majority of kids to have them, we will have a great inventory of gently used pairs for sale or gifted in the future. Fins are used nearly every day.

Kick boards & pull buoys: Some are also available at the pool, but nice for kids to have their own if they are able. They are used to isolate the kick or the pull only.

Mesh bag: For holding equipment in.

Snorkels: Valuable tools to master head position & technique. Many beginners have trouble with the snorkels with valves and prefer a snorkel without a valve.

Paddles: For strength training and technique enhancement during pull sets.

Nose plug/clip: often used with some swimmers when using their snorkel to keep water out of their nose. Some also like to use for backstroke underwater streamlines.

Tennis balls: Used for drills and to roll out tight muscles.

For ALL OCSC Swimmers

Individual progress is related to the amount of effort put forth by each athlete. This translates into practice attendance as well as practice behavior.

Swimmers influence practice behavior in each other by encouraging teammates and by putting forth their best effort for themselves and their team.

Coaches further develop the concept of team behavior, instilling in the swimmer the notion that while they race as an individual, they compete as a valuable part of a larger group: Oregon Community Swim Club (OCSC).

Leopard Sharks: This group is designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive swimming in a fun and dynamic way. Swimmers should be able to complete 50m of freestyle (breathing to side) and 25 m backstroke without stopping. Swimmers will also need to have a rudimentary ability to do butterfly and breaststroke. This group will focus on becoming more proficient in all 4 strokes. We will learn starts, turns, and racing strategy. Swimmers will also become familiar with proper lane etiquette and the rules of competitive swimming.

Hammerhead Sharks: This group is designed for Leopard Sharks who love swimming and are looking for continued development of skills and techniques. Hammerheads will have attained skills reinforced, but also learn more about the idea that practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. Focus will be placed on enhancing the four competitive strokes through drills, kicking, stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and beginning interval training. Swimmers will be introduced to the pace clock, goal setting and additional knowledge of the rules of competitive swimming and race preparation. Meet participation in at least one meet per month is expected of this group.

Sand Sharks: This group is designed for swimmers who are slightly older than Hammerhead Sharks and still need to develop skills before moving on. We also will help swimmers determine long term goals and what path they need to follow to achieve those long term goals. Focus will be placed on enhancing the four competitive strokes through drills, kicking, stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and beginning interval training.

Squali: This group is for those who want to focus on building stronger stroke mechanics, efficient technique, endurance, interval training, and speed. A mixture of skill, conditioning, racing and fun helps these swimmers develop solid practice habits. Goal setting is a priority in Squali. A high level of meet participation is expected (at least once a month). More emphasis on cardiovascular training in addition to swimming will be employed.

Thresher Sharks: This group is for 13 & over swimmers who are committed to continuing their swimming either in a more recreational way, with less time commitment, or unsure of their ability or desire to commit to more intense training. Swimmers will be encouraged to set realistic goals and develop their understanding between commitment levels and results. This is an excellent group for multisport athletes as well.

Bull Sharks: This group is for 13 & over swimmers who are committed to continuing their swimming either in a more recreational way, with less time commitment, or unsure of their ability or desire to commit to more intense training. Swimmers will be encouraged to set realistic goals and develop their understanding between commitment levels and results. This is an excellent group for multisport athletes as well.

OCSC ELITE GROUPS: Elite swimmers will be identified by coaches and met with individually to determine eligibility and readiness for this group. Physical and mental maturity, as well as emotional readiness are important components that will be considered.

This is the highest and most rigorous level of OCSC, comprised of advanced swimmers interested in the pursuit of excellence at increasingly higher levels of competitive swimming. They will be focused on goal setting, goal driven work ethic and evaluated goal achievement. Appropriate goals for this group would include pursuit of Zone qualifying times for 11 & under and Speedo/Futures/National qualifying times for 12 & older. The desire to pursue a college swimming career is an appropriate goal for Elite team members.

Tiburones: Coach selected Elite level group for younger swimmers. Workouts will be tailored specifically for their developmental age.

Makos: Coach selected Elite level group for older swimmers. Practice available up to 7-8x/week (15 hrs/week including cardio/dryland).

Swimmers will be held to the expectation that practice attendance and effort will match the performance goals they have set. Effort incongruous with set goals may lead to goals being reevaluated, reestablished or possible movement from Elite to the appropriate OCSC group.

OCSC Elite athletes will be expected to, and held accountable for practice attendance and meet participation, as well as balancing schoolwork and family obligations.

Elite Expectations:

Demonstrate independence, self-discipline and a high level of self-motivation

Elite swimmers will be expected to purchase a mesh bag with fins, paddles, kickboard, snorkel, pull buoy and goal setting tools to keep at the pool for practice use. Tennis balls are also needed for drills. Simply Swimming will assemble a package deal. If this is a financial concern, please contact Coach Jim via email.